Chiefs vs. Raiders: Arrowhead Addict staff writer predictions

The Arrowhead Addict writing staff have made their picks for Week 7 and how they believe the Chiefs will fare against the Oakland Raiders.

Just a few days after the Kansas City Chiefs took a brutal loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home, we get the chance to turn the corner and (hopefully) feel good again as the Chiefs open up Week 7 with a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Oakland Raiders. The pair of teams are not only serious division rivals, but for the Raiders, they’re in a must-win situation or likely face irrelevancy for the rest of 2017.

As we get ready for Thursday’s game in Oakland, we asked our staff writers to weigh in with their predictions and thoughts.

Chiefs 17, Raiders 6
I don’t seen any reason to believe that the Raiders will be able to summon the emotional and physical energy to turn around their current negative momentum against the single best team in the NFL—one with every reason to want to put the Oakland Raiders away early and easily. The Chiefs are currently hurting with injuries in key places, but that hasn’t stopped them from imposing their will on many teams or even keeping it close despite sloppy play in others. The Chiefs have owned the Raiders since Andy Reid came to town and this year, the two teams look as polarized as ever. [Matt Conner]

Chiefs 42, Raiders 24
Alex Smith and Kareem Hunt will lead the charge tonight, wtih Hunt running all over the Raiders defense for 225 yards and two scores. Smith will bring the aerial attack with 350 yards, 3 touchdowns and his first interception. [Lucas Hampton]

Chiefs 31, Raiders 28

More from Arrowhead Addict

I haven’t felt good about this game all year. Yet, I think the Chiefs have just enough in them to pull it out. After a rough outing vs. Pittsburgh, Alex Smith will come out to prove the loss was a fluke. Carr will move the ball on the Chiefs defense, but will come up just short in the end. Chiefs come out with a big division win and will put the Raiders away. [Austin Owen]

Chiefs 28, Raiders 14
On Thursday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs look to get back on track following their first loss of the regular season. The Oakland Raiders, losers of four straight, are also in the market for redemption having slipped to the cellar of the AFC West. Quarterback Derek Carr recently returned to the lineup following a transverse process fracture in his back, but he didn’t play well last week against the L.A. Chargers (tossing two picks on the day). Kansas City starter Alex Smith will also look to rebound from an unimpressive showing last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Raiders have had some trouble scoring points lately. In their four losses, they’ve managed just 53 total points. Wide receiver Amari Cooper’s been a shell of himself and running back Marshawn Lynch is averaging just 42.8 yards per game. They’ll look to rebound against a Chiefs team which surrendered more than 300 yards to RB/WR tandem Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell last Sunday.

Oakland is bottom-third of the league in passing and run defense so expect the Chiefs to have a better offensive showing this week. They’re winners of five straight and appear to have the Raiders’ number (much in the same way the Steelers appear to have the Chiefs on speed dial). The Chiefs will be anxious to right the ship and will see Kareem Hunt have a big rushing day, Alex Smith sharper than he was last week and their bookend OLBs combine for 3-4 sacks. The Chiefs roll in this one and win, 28-14. [Reach]

Chiefs 27, Raiders 17
The Chiefs are going to do what they did last year after getting hit in the mouth: play like their backs are against the wall. They will take their frustration out on the Raiders and keep them at the bottom of the division. [Travis Steffen]

Chiefs 28, Raiders 17
The line may be set at 3 points, but I don’t think the matchup is that close. Much like the Steelers with the Chiefs, the Chiefs have had the Raiders number since Andy Reid came into town. The Raiders have no pass defense and poor run defense. Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Kareem Hunt could all be in for a good day. I’m predicting 28-17 in a crushing victory for the Chiefs. [David Thomas]

Chiefs 30, Raiders 20
The Kansas City Chiefs will win tonight 30-20. Like the game against the San Diego Charges, the Chiefs will dominate but do just enough wrong to keep the score close. Kareem Hunt will go over 100 yards rushing and Demarcus Robinson will be open all night against the Raiders poor secondary. Alex Smith will shake off his bad performance against the Steelers and throw for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Justin Houston will have multiple sacks and the defense will have five total sacks and three turnovers. This is a game that will frustrate you that we aren’t up by more, but there will be no doubt we’ll win all night. [Britt Zank]

Home/Kansas City Chiefs News